Changes of thyroid function in thyroid cancer after total or subtotal thyroidectomy

Abstract

Objective To investigate the change of thyroid function after total or subtotal thyroidectomy.Methods During January 2009 to April 2011,88 cases of thyroid cancer undergoing total or subtotal thyroidectomy were enrolled to detect thyroid function before surgery (0 d),postoperative day 1 (1 d),3 (3 d) and 5 (5 d),including T3,T4,FT3,FT4 and TSH,and their changing patterns were analyzed.Results FT3 and T3 expressed a downward trend,the changes were statistically significant (FT3:F =47.752,P ＜ 0.01; T3:F =15.317,P ＜ 0.01 ),and both of the values on 3 d were close to the lower limit of normal level; FT4 and T4 levels were increased after 1 d,then decreased gradually.Changes of FT4 on 0 d,1 d and 5 d had no significant difference (P ＞ 0.05),those of T4 on 0 d and 1 d had no statistically significant difference (P ＞ 0.05),and those at the remaining time points had statistically significant difference (P ＜ 0.05).TSH level was declined on 1 d,but gradually increased on 3 d and 5 d.TSH level on 0 d and 1 d had no statistically significant difference ( P ＞ 0.05 ),and those on the remaining time points had statistically significant difference ( P ＜ 0.05 ).TSH level on 3 d was close to the upper limit of normal level,and greater than that on 5 d.Conclusion Thyroid function after total or subtotal thyroidectomy does not decrease or decrease mildly on 1 d after surgery.There is no need to test thyroid function or supply thyroid hormone at this time.Thyroid function after surgery is significantly decreased from 3 d,thyroid function should be monitored,and according to the level of thyroid function,proper thyroid hormone should be given. Key words: Thyroid cancer; Subtotal thyroidectomy; Thyroid function